Menu
Start a Thread Start a Poll
I want to talk in Chinese, what should I do to start a conversation?
May 26, 2011 00:18
  • CASEY88
  • Points:
  • Join Date: May 26, 2011
  • Status: offline
How does "你怎么样?" rate as an informal greeting? I was taught to use "怎么样？" Is that used more than "你好吗?"
May 26, 2011 03:04
#1  
  • CHINYCHEN
  • Points:
  • Join Date: Apr 26, 2011
  • Status: Offline
Well, actually we seldom use "你怎么样",it means "Do you have some trouble?"or "Do you feel good?"
May 26, 2011 20:50
#2  
  • LINGYUXISU
  • Points:
  • Join Date: Dec 3, 2010
  • Status: Offline
For me, just 你好 is enough, meaning' nice to meet you'.
I read some English books which say Chinese people usually greet each other by asking"吃了吗?"(do you have your meal? ) Actually, I don't think it is used so often. I usually use it when making a phone call to someone around meal time.
May 26, 2011 21:01
#3  
  • WAHAHA
  • Points:
  • Join Date: Apr 26, 2011
  • Status: Offline
Hahaha that's funny!
吃了吗 is ideal for ppl you know fairly well and most used among my parents generation.
This is a traditional way of saying things, which I like as it sounds local.
If you speak to younger ppl and ppl who have international experience (not really local Chinese) 你 好吗 works better.
May 26, 2011 21:52
#4  
  • JETSETTER
  • Points:
  • Join Date: Mar 3, 2011
  • Status: Offline
I think 你 好吗 is difficult to say for a westerner.

I wish there was a translation for Australian greeting - G'day as this is most commonly used and often said without thinking
May 27, 2011 02:57
#5  
  • LINGYUXISU
  • Points:
  • Join Date: Dec 3, 2010
  • Status: Offline
G'day in chinese 好天气. It sounds weird to greet some in China.
May 29, 2011 21:24
#6  
  • JETSETTER
  • Points:
  • Join Date: Mar 3, 2011
  • Status: Offline
Can you tell me a friendly way I can say hello to you if I we meet for the first time?
Jun 1, 2011 22:40
#7  
  • WAHAHA
  • Points:
  • Join Date: Apr 26, 2011
  • Status: Offline
what about"认识你很高兴“or”初次见面，请多指教“？
Jun 2, 2011 02:57
#8  
  • CASEY88
  • Points:
  • Join Date: May 26, 2011
  • Status: Offline
thank you for all your help.
by the way, what is the meaning of "指教"?
Jun 2, 2011 20:44
#9  
  • CHINYCHEN
  • Points:
  • Join Date: Apr 26, 2011
  • Status: Offline
Just discovered this website - brilliant! 爱chinese上有很多超赞的表达方式哦，想知道的可以去www.aichinese.com看看
Jun 2, 2011 22:18
#10  
  • LINGYUXISU
  • Points:
  • Join Date: Dec 3, 2010
  • Status: Offline
Quote:

Originally Posted by CASEY88

thank you for all your help.
by the way, what is the meaning of "指教"?


Something means 'giving advice', a humble expression.
Post a Reply to: I want to talk in Chinese, what should I do to start a conversation?
Content: ( 3,000 characters at most, please )
You can add emoticons below to your post by clicking them.
characters left
Name:    Get a new code